I tried months ago to have my 2011 KIA Sorento LX 3.5L v6 AWD to get the recalls fixed @ KIA in Yorkville,New York. They said they couldn't fix the recalls that were on the vehicle because supposedly the suspension is unsafe. But I already had the vehicle on a lift 4 times since,6 times total to get parts installed from my mechanic. If it was so unsafe,how could my mechanic lift the vehicle without any issues. I needed to get the underbody sprayed to stop rust and corrosion but KIA refused me.The recall for the ABS module needed fixing,they refused me. Having problems with the ABS and my subframe/crossmember broke. I feel the spray could've helped
2011 Kia Sorento brakes problems
132 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 68,000. 6 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 132
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 68,000
- crashes
- 6
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Foundation components: disc: pads1
- Disc: caliper1
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Kia Sorento brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 Kia Sorento brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Recall number 23V652000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Kia is recalling certain model year 2011 sorento vehicles manufactured from september 14, 2010, through october 4, 2010. Some of the rear brake calipers may not have been properly machined.
- Risk
- As a result, brake fluid will leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating the brake fluid level is low and should be checked, then a soft or spongy brake pedal feel, and if not serviced, reduced braking power which could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rear calipers and replace it if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on december 10, 2010. Owners may contact kia consumer assistance center at 1‑800‑333‑4542.
Recall number 10V599000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V‑520, 20V‑543, 21V‑161, 21V‑160, 21V‑303, 22V‑056, 22V‑810, and 23V‑651. Kia recalls 16V‑815, 20V‑518, 20V‑519, 21V‑137, 21V‑331, 22V‑051, 22V‑800, and 23V‑652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
AQ23002
What 2011 Kia Sorento owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
there are eight recalls on my car I do not trust dealerships I do not trust mechanics I work on my own car I have very bad experience with mechanics I would rather return my car to the dealership I want to sell my car do the dealership eight different recalls is too much
The ABS, down hill light, and swaying light came on. As I was pulling into a parking space slowly with my foot on the brakes, the car sped forward knocking over a post and shrubs.
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that, upon reaching her destination and turning the vehicle off, she smelled smoke in the interior of the vehicle. She then observed flames jutting up from underneath the driver's side seat, prompting her to evacuate immediately. Within minutes, the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames following what the contact described as an explosion. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames, later determining that faulty vehicle components caused the fire without human intervention. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed, but injuries were reported. The contact suffered various minor burns to her hands but did not seek medical attention, choosing instead to attend to her injuries herself at home. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the VIN was included, and parts were available. However, the contact stated that previous attempts to schedule the vehicle for repair had failed due to parts availability and a months-long waiting list. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and a third-party engineer was sent to examine the vehicle, but a final report had yet to be provided to the contact. The failure mileage was 223,000.
I was approaching a stoplight, applying my brakes ahead of time, got down around 45 mph and then the brakes locked up suddenly and took me across the road into a guardrail. Thankfully no other car was involved. The speed limit is 55 mph on that road and I was still a ways away from the stoplight. I was never notified of the recalls on the vehicle.
Rear brakes failed, had to replace them. This is the 3rd repair not covered by Kia.
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact raised the hood and became aware of a short circuit around the engine. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a positive battery cable being stuck with the shift cable and inhibitor switch causing the short circuit. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle would be repaired out-of-pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Sorento. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the current parts would repair the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Questions about the 2011 Kia Sorento brakes
Does the 2011 Kia Sorento have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 132 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Kia Sorento, 9% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Sorento brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 68,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Kia Sorento brakes?
Yes, 2 recalls: 23V652000, 10V599000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia Sorento have bad brakes?
The Kia Sorento model years with the most brakes complaints are 2011 (132 complaints), 2012 (103 complaints) and 2013 (88 complaints).
Other 2011 Kia Sorento problems
Engine 316Body 268Transmission 265Electrical 246Airbags 183Lights 105Acceleration 63Suspension 56Steering 53Locks 33Driver assistance 30Visibility 29Seats 21Fuel system 19Seat belts 11Wheels 9Tires 6
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